Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a strategic push to India’s soft power, urging to increase the global reach of yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts, films, VFX, animation, gaming and digital content as key areas that can strengthen the country’s global influence.
“The strength of India’s soft power is immense,” Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort in Delhi, urging the country to develop its cultural and creative capabilities into a global strength.
The push for soft power came as Modi unveiled a seven-point reform framework, or ‘Saptadhara’, aimed at accelerating India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Yoga, Ayurveda outreach
Modi said yoga had already connected India with people across the world and was increasingly becoming a source of energy and trust.
“Today, yoga has connected the entire world with India. Yoga is increasingly becoming a source of energy for the world and an important source of trust in India,” he said.
He also pointed to India’s traditions of Ayurveda, faith and holistic healthcare, saying these could be taken to global audiences through the “Healing India” movement.
{{/usCountry}}He also pointed to India’s traditions of Ayurveda, faith and holistic healthcare, saying these could be taken to global audiences through the “Healing India” movement.
{{/usCountry}}“India has centres of faith, Ayurveda and a holistic healthcare system. Through the Healing India movement, we can take our capabilities to the world,” Modi said in his address to countrymen.
Deep Dive
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Push for handicrafts, VFX, gaming
The Prime Minister also underlined the potential of India’s creative economy, including handicrafts, films, VFX, animation, gaming and digital content.
“Whether it is handicrafts, our culture, our films, our creative industries, VFX, animation, gaming or digital content, India can demonstrate its strength in the creative world,” he said.
“We must develop this into a global capability.”
Modi also highlighted the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), saying India’s efforts had given the event a major boost and that the world was gradually beginning to look towards the country’s global entertainment summit.
“Today, India has given a major boost to the WAVES Summit. The world is gradually beginning to look forward to India’s World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit,” he said.
“It will introduce India’s soft power and creative world to the global audience.”
Tourism as soft power
Modi said India’s forests, national parks and natural wealth also offered significant scope to attract international tourists.
“My dear countrymen, India has immense forest wealth. We have more than 100 national parks and enormous potential, but we have not done enough to attract foreign tourists,” he said.
He called for India’s cultural, natural and creative strengths to be showcased more effectively to the world.
“We have an opportunity, through our soft power, to attract tourists from around the world to India. We have to showcase our capabilities to the world.”
‘Saptadhara’ for Viksit Bharat
Addressing the nation from on Independence Day, Modi said India needed a new set of strengths to drive its development journey.
“Today, I would also like to recall that era when the nation knew, understood, and heard of India's prowess in the form of the 'Sapta Sindhu'. Now, to build a Viksit Bharat, we need a new current. Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I invoke the 'Saptadhara' of strength before the nation,” Modi said.
He drew a parallel with the ancient reference to the ‘Sapta Sindhu’, or seven rivers.
“In the coming 5 to 7 years, what could not be achieved in the last 5 to 7 decades, through the prowess and power of this Saptadhara, we will give the nation new heights, new momentum, and the capability to surpass new goals,” he added.